ERBIL - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Tuesday inaugurated the opening of the strategic Rova-Kobal highway between the capital Erbil and Duhok province.

"The 22-kilometer, six lane road was unveiled as part of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s efforts to improve transport infrastructure across the Kurdistan Region," reads a statement by Barzani's office.

"The highway is part of a broader infrastructure program by the Kurdistan Regional Government to boost road safety, build faster roads, and link cities to a robust infrastructure system."

The Kurdish premier further noted that the project was completed by local businesses which indicates Kurdistan Region's "domestic capacities."

He also reaffirmed his cabinet's commitment to prioritise public infrastructure as well as service-delivery projects and respecting its programming timelines despite financial and health crises the globe currently faces.

"He added that these steps will help secure sustainable improvements to the Kurdistan Region and its long-term prosperity, as well as to better serve all of its citizens," the statement said.

Barzani, in the meantime, took the opportunity to extend condolences to the families of those martyrs who sacrificed their lives defending the rights of the Kurdistan Region and its people during the Pirde Battle on October 20, 2017.